Quotes, Quotes, Quotes

So, I'm reading this book called An Abundance of Katherines by John Green. I'm not very far into the book yet - but last night while reading I came across an interesting quote. The main character in the book, Colin, is thinking about why things have happened in his life the way that they have when he is reminded of a quote by Democritus. {Democritus was an Ancient Greek philosopher - he is considered to be the "father of modern science."}

Here is the quote:
"Everywhere man blames nature and fate, yet his fate is mostly but the echo of his character and passions, his mistakes and weaknesses."

Think about what this quote could mean and draw a picture to represent its meaning.

Over Winter break I read Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. Memoirs are very similar to autobiographies. However, memoirs tend to focus on a more specific event or lesson one has learned in their life - rather than everything that has happened over the course of a lifetime. This particular book is fictional (not "real"), but Golden writes from the first person point of view of the Geisha. In the book, the Geisha focuses on the lessons she learns from each hardship and each joy she experienced in her life. At one particular moment in the book, she says "I would be like a dancer who had practiced since childhood for a performance she would never give." When I first read this passage, I felt confused. However, after multiple readings, I determined that this is a message of sadness. How would it feel to spend a lifetime in preparation for something that would never happen? I also think this quote holds a deeper meaning -- a message for the reader. This quote is telling the reader to live life rather than simply planning for the future. Live every moment with a purpose!

Kind of like a magic carpet - less genies...

Slowly - very slowly - I am reading the second Harry Potter book. The main thing I'm noticing about wizards and witches at this point, is that they are always finding really cool uses for normal, everyday things. For instance, in the first book, Harry gets his broomstick. No surprise - the broomstick allows Harry to fly. When I was reading yesterday, however, Harry finds a new use for soot (from the fireplace). Unlike a normal person who has to take a car, bike, or airplane somewhere -- Harry just steps into the fireplace, throws up some soot, and calls out the name of the place he wants to go! So, of course, this got me wondering -- if that was all I had to do, where would I go?

Where would YOU go if all you had to do was step into your fireplace? Why would you go there? Would you go alone or bring someone with you? Why?

Too Many Angry Men

I started reading 12 Angry Men before bed on Sunday night. I wasn't sure how I would feel about it - unfortunately I tend to judge books by the cover and this one was NOT the most exciting! After reading about all the characters, settings, and props - I wondered how I would keep everything (and everyone) straight. I began reading Act I, skeptical of how interesting and difficult the play may be. I quickly realized that some characters were more important than others. For instance, Juror 8 is a pretty central character - able to influence those around him and stand up for himself. I also thought the topic of discussion and the thought processes of some of the characters was interesting. Who do you think are the important characters in the play? What makes these characters important?

Mr. Potter

Finished Harry Potter. Unfortunately, I had very high expectations for the book. While I enjoyed the first Harry Potter book, it did take me quite a while to become interested. By about page 200 I was hooked -- but the first 200 pages seemed to be a lot of background information (boring!).

Having seen the first Harry Potter movie many times, I already knew a lot of the story before even opening the book. I think this had quite an impact on my overall experience with the book. Specifically, I was able to anticipate much of the action and dialogue of the book before it occured. In general, I like book-based movies. It's such an awesome experience to see the characters, settings, and events that you have read so much about. I guess my question is this: Which should come first: the book or the movie??

there's always a beginning ...

Knowing where to start with a blog is difficult. So, I'll start with what has been going on in my life over the past four days. I flew to San Antonio last Thursday (at the break of dawn) for a conference for Language Arts teachers. The conference was great – so much information and so many interesting and excited teachers to learn from. However, after four days of complete "teacher talk" I am a bit worn out and overwhelmed. However lame it may be, one of my main goals for this trip was to finish reading Breaking Dawn – thus finishing the entire Twilight series. Unfortunately, I finished the book in record time and was left book-less for the majority of the trip (and our flight back to Raleigh).
It has been quite a while since I read a piece of fiction for pleasure. During college I was constantly reading. However, not only was I reading "the classics" but I wasn't choosing the literature I was interested in. I love the classics and there is something so fulfilling about reading them and being able to walk through a bookstore having read (and written papers on) a majority of the books. But reading Twilight made me realize just how much I enjoy reading. The idea of reading being a relaxing experience has been somewhat buried in my memories since I chose English as a major.
Having finished Twilight, I feel a bit lost. Surprise, surprise – I hate change! But I am trying to transition (quickly and easily) to something new. There are quite a few books floating around in my mind – anything by Sara Dessen, Walk Two Moons (Sharon Creech), Wuthering Heights (there I go with the classics again). But I think I have finally decided to give in and read Harry Potter. I'm hoping the Harry Potter books will read just as quickly as the Twilight series -- and I don't think I've heard a single negative comment on the series. Wish me luck ....